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Keep Alosi off sidelines forever

When the NFL hits the homestretch of its regular season you normally start hearing names you've never heard of.

Today's name is Sal Alosi.

Most of the time you hear names you've never heard of because they are those of third- and fourth-stringers that come off the sidelines and into the lineup due to the wear and tear on starters at this point in the season. They then make a name for themselves on the field over the final month or so of the season.

Not Sal Alosi.

Alosi is meant to stay on the sidelines, and after Sunday's action he should never be allowed on an NFL sideline, at the least, ever again.

Alosi is the New York Jets head strength and conditioning coach, a position he has held for four seasons. But on Sunday the former Hofstra linebacker came out on him.

As the Jets set up for a punt return, Miami Dolphin gunner Nolan Carroll ran down the Jets sideline to make his way to the return man. He did not make it far because Alosi decided he would stick his knee out and trip Carroll.

You can see in the video just how subtle Alosi was in his efforts to stop Carroll, who was injured on the play.

Alsoi, who has a press conference scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET today in New York issued a statement after the game.

"I made a mistake that showed a total lapse in judgment. My conduct was inexcusable and unsportsmanlike and does not reflect what this organization stands for," Alosi said, adding that he apologized to Carroll before Miami's players left the stadium. "I accept responsibility for my actions as well as any punishment that follows."

The punishment that should follow should be a ban from the NFL. A lapse in judgment is tackling a guy well after he went out of bounds, not being the guy who's already out of bounds — and doesn't even play for a team — making the tackle of another player. Alosi's actions are certainly inexcusable, therefore, he should not be excused of them. How do you ever make an excuse for someone in street clothes affecting the play of an active player? You don't. So the NFL shouldn't have to make an excuse why they ever let Alosi back on another one of its sidelines.

The NFL has tried to crack down on illegal hits, even threatening suspensions perhaps on some particular hits. Of course the league has not been brazen enough to follow through on this. I'm sure they will finally get that suspension of someone for an illegal hit that they wanted.